Want to start making gains? Start by holding yourself accountable for every choice you make. Just because it isn’t your fault, it’s still your responsibility. The accountability mirror is a tool for responsibility introduced by David Goggins in his bestselling book Can’t Hurt Me.
Accountability Is About Telling Yourself The Truth
Goggins is an ultra-endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and retired Navy SEAL. Ten years ago, he was a 300 pound cockroach killer with a third grade reading level.
He didn’t turn it around overnight. Progress is not linear. But people who make progress are consistent.
All the suffering Goggins put himself through did not come automatically. It’s a product of discipline and accountability.
The accountability mirror is about telling yourself the truth when you don’t want to hear it.
It’s about telling yourself the truth after you just failed.
Its about facing the lies we tell ourselves everyday.
What is the Accountability Mirror?
Sticky notes with your goals, insecurities, and responsibilities on the mirror. That’s all it is.
Every morning when you wake up, you’ll see the standards you expect of yourself. Each night before bed, it’ll be a reminder of your identity.
There’s no running from the truth when it’s staring you in the face.
An accountability mirror forces you to face the reality of your situation every single day. Life isn’t all roses and fairy tales.
The mirror should be an honest reflection of your current situation.
- If you’re unemployed, put it on the wall.
- Want to lose a few pounds? Put your goal weight on the mirror.
- Need to pick up a new skill for work? List it along with your action plan for how to master it.
There is a difference between facing reality (accountability) and putting yourself down. The mirror should not be used for negative self talk. The notes you write on the mirror are meant to keep you accountable, so that you can grow into the person you want to be.
Better by far to embrace the hard truth than a reassuring fable.
Carl Sagan
Hard truths aren’t pleasant, but they are necessary.
Own your flaws and insecurities so that you can work on them. You cannot fix a problem if you are in denial about its existence.
